Public Asked to Give Feedback on Rail Crossing Horn Test

December 29, 2006

Residents in the area of a proposed railroad quiet zone are invited to participate in demonstrations of a wayside rail crossing horn on January 4. The horn will be sounded from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at 44th and Cornhusker Highway and from noon to 12:30 p.m. at 3rd and 'D' streets.

A wayside horn is mounted on a pole at a railroad crossing to warn of a train approaching. It sounds very similar to a locomotive horn, but is directed at drivers and is much quieter outside of the immediate crossing area.

The test is being conducted to obtain input from area residents in conjunction with the Quiet Zone Study currently being conducted for the Lincoln- Lancaster County Railroad Transportation Safety District (RTSD). A quiet zone is a section of railroad line where locomotive horns are not routinely sounded. The City of Lincoln and the RTSD are considering creating a railroad quiet zone along the BNSF corridor in northeast Lincoln from 33rd to 70th streets.

Area residents are encouraged to comment on the wayside horn tests through the City Web site at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: RTSD). They also may contact the City Public Works and Utilities Department at 441-7711 or Kirkham Michael at 477-4240.